Question

If a terrorist were to make a bomb which they intended to set so that it would go off 20 minutes after they have left the scene, what type of explosive (such as low or high (primary or secondary)) would they use to make the explosive? In what type of situations would each be best? What type would they use for the blasting cap? Why, in each case? What might they do to make a very simple bomb much more dangerous? What sort of thing might the terrorist do to reduce the significance of the bombing materials?

Answer 1

They have to use high and primary explosive. Explosive materials may be categorized by the speed at which they expand. Materials that detonate are said to be "high explosives" and materials that deflagrate are said to be "low explosives". Explosives may also be categorized by their sensitivity. Sensitive materials that can be initiated by a relatively small amount of heat or pressure are primary explosives and materials that are relatively insensitive are secondary explosive. For blasting cap they will use high and primary explosive. To make simple bomb much more dangerous they will use high and secondary explosive.